Download New Zealand / Aotearoa. Paradise under Pressure Earthquakes and

New Zealand / Aotearoa. Paradise under Pressure
Earthquakes and Мolcanoes
New Zealand / Aotearoa. Paradise under Pressure
Earthquakes and Мolcanoes
New Zealand's landscape today appears green and peaceful, but it is still
being shaped by violent geological forces. Millions of years ago, the two
main islands (North and South Islands), were formed from parts of
Gondwanaland, an ancient continent. Movements within the earth crushed
the pieces together and pushed up mountain ranges. They still cause
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which are usually minor. The last
serious earthquake was in 1987. Most of the country's volcanoes are in the
centre of the North Island. Mount Ruapehu is the highest volcano and it
erupts every few years without causing any damage.
The highest mountains are the Southern Alps, which run the length of the
South Island. On the southwest coast there are deep fiords, similar to those
found in Norway.
New Zealand is never very hot or very cold because it is surrounded by
water. At the top of the North Island the climate is sub-tropical. At the
bottom of the South Island, the climate is cool and wet with up to 8,000 mm
of rainfall a year.
Kingdom of the Birds
New Zealand's landscape today appears green and peaceful, but it is still
being shaped by violent geological forces. Millions of years ago, the two
main islands (North and South Islands), were formed from parts of
Gondwanaland, an ancient continent. Movements within the earth crushed
the pieces together and pushed up mountain ranges. They still cause
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, which are usually minor. The last
serious earthquake was in 1987. Most of the country's volcanoes are in the
centre of the North Island. Mount Ruapehu is the highest volcano and it
erupts every few years without causing any damage.
The highest mountains are the Southern Alps, which run the length of the
South Island. On the southwest coast there are deep fiords, similar to those
found in Norway.
New Zealand is never very hot or very cold because it is surrounded by
water. At the top of the North Island the climate is sub-tropical. At the
bottom of the South Island, the climate is cool and wet with up to 8,000 mm
of rainfall a year.
Kingdom of the Birds
Before the first human beings arrived, New Zealand was inhabited by
birds. There were over 160 different species. With few natural enemies, most
of these birds gradually lost their ability to fly. They evolved special ways of
living: some were very tall and ate leaves off trees, while others grazed like
sheep.
Today, only a few of New Zealand's flightless birds survive. One is the
kiwi, which is about the size of a duck. The kiwi is the national bird and
emblem. New Zealanders often call themselves 'Kiwis'. The other surviving
flightless birds are the takehe, which is bright blue and green, and the
kakapo. Unfortunately, there are only about 50 kakapo left.
Most of New Zealand's unique birds and many of its native seals and fish
have become extinct in the last five hundred years. By contrast, the tuatara,
which is a type of lizard, has survived from the time of Gondwanaland.
Before the first human beings arrived, New Zealand was inhabited by
birds. There were over 160 different species. With few natural enemies, most
of these birds gradually lost their ability to fly. They evolved special ways of
living: some were very tall and ate leaves off trees, while others grazed like
sheep.
Today, only a few of New Zealand's flightless birds survive. One is the
kiwi, which is about the size of a duck. The kiwi is the national bird and
emblem. New Zealanders often call themselves 'Kiwis'. The other surviving
flightless birds are the takehe, which is bright blue and green, and the
kakapo. Unfortunately, there are only about 50 kakapo left.
Most of New Zealand's unique birds and many of its native seals and fish
have become extinct in the last five hundred years. By contrast, the tuatara,
which is a type of lizard, has survived from the time of Gondwanaland.
“In the English-speaking World”
“In the English-speaking World”